Adult MHFA training to be held in Monticello

     A mental health first aid (MHFA) training is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jones County Youth Development Center, 800 N. Maple St., in Monticello. This training is free to participants with a free lunch provided by the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition. The Abbe Center for Community mental Health will of offering the adult MHRA training, sponsored by the MHDS (mental health/disability services) East Central Region.

   The MHFA programs teach community members skills on identifying and responding to a person who may be experiencing a mental health issue. This is comparable to learning first aid training for physical health, but instead will focus on mental health. This program has been developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health and further information can be found on their website at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org. MHFA teaches you signs of addictions and mental illnesses, five-step action plan to assess a situation and help, impact of mental and substance use disorders, and local resources and where to turn for help.

   Who can be a mental health first aider? Caring citizens, family members, members of faith communities, policy makers, first responders, security personnel, physicians, farmers, volunteers, and more.

   Please register by contacting Karen Randklev at karen.randklev@unitypoint.org. Each participant must contact Randklev directly to register. Please provide your first and last name, email address, and phone number when registering. Please note that the last day to register is Thursday, Nov. 7.

   This training consists of brief online prework. Additional information about logging into the MHFA system and setting up an account will be sent via email once you’ve registered with Randklev. The last day to complete account setup and prework (takes approximately 10 minutes) is Nov. 8 and noon. Those who have already taken the training within the last few years and are renewing their three-year certification may already have created an account. Upon completion of the training, you will be able to obtain a certificate of completion. You must attend the entire training to receive a certificate. CEUs have been pre-approved for several certifications through the Iowa Board of Social Work, Iowa Board of Nursing, and the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners.

   The Coalition hosted a youth MHFA training in September for adults who work with or care about youth and their mental health and now is promoting this training about adult mental health to help more community members be prepared to help their neighbors, patients, customers, clients, and loved ones. Adults getting the help they need is good for all families.